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March 13, 2014
Daily summary - Thursday, March 13, 2014
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Main News
Israeli raids on locations of Al-Quds Brigades across the Gaza Strip
Israeli warplanes launched overnight raids on locations belonging to Islamic Jihad and empty land in different parts of the Gaza Strip.The Israeli army said its aircraft bombed 29 targets in the Strip. Maan’s correspondent said the Israeli raid targeted Muhajer site which belongs to Al-Quds Brigades in the town of Rafah with several missiles and raided empty lands in Al-Nasser neighborhood of Rafah. In the northern Gaza Strip Israeli air force bombed Hetin site of Al-Quds Brigade with 3 missiles without reporting any casualties. The air strikes created fear among citizens and damaged property. Israeli air force also attacked a site belonging to Al-Quds Brigades in Al-Qararah area in Khan Yunis, in addition to attacking Arin 2 site of Al-Quds Brigades with 4 missiles west of Rafah. The Ministry of Health of the deposed government on Gaza announced its readiness to deal with any developments in the field in all districts.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=681106)
This comes hours after Al-Quds Brigades launched missiles toward Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip, followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli leaders threatening to respond to the missiles fire.Islamic Jihad fired some 70 missiles which landed in western Negev and the settlements "Netivot and Bni Shimoun" near Beer Sheva, Ashdod and Eshkol, creating severe panic among Israelis. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/493383)
President before the Revolutionary Council: we are approaching two of the most difficult months; Dahlan is a killer and cooperated with Hamas
President Mahmoud Abbas said I want to achieve something for my people; I will not finish my life with a betrayal, and will not allow anyone to undermine Fatah movement, tear it, play with it or sell it to any country in the world.The President said in his speech to the thirteenth session of Fatah Revolutionary Council entitled: "Martyrs of Yarmouk, national steadfastness and freedom for Marwan Barghuti and all prisoners”, at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah,“I am 79-year-old age, I am one of the founders of Fatah movement, and will not allow for its abuse, no one other than this united movement can achieve victory away from all the pressures in the world.” The President said, “We have two of the most difficult months ahead, but we can bear the entire burden, and the trade unions, federations and others should understand this difficult situation that requires everyone to be patient.” The President addressed the phenomenon of Dahlan, saying“Tayeb Abdel-Rahim and Hakam Balaawi, as you know, investigated Dahlanregarding what happened in Gaza,the result of the investigation was dismissing him as an adviser to national security, the other reason of the investigate was that he agreed with Hamas and cooperated with them, the sonof Nizar Rayan was the mediator between the two sides, but one month before the coup Hamas sent him a message, saying we do not need you anymore, you should leave Gaza with your group and we will deal with the situation, and then he and his group left Gaza, and the coup took place." The President continued saying: “When Azzam Al-Ahmad finished his investigation, the results showed that 6 were killed by order of Dahlan, Muhammad Abu Sha’ban and Asa’d Saftawi, both were killed when we were still in Tunis, and all those who were in Tunis know this, it almost caused an internal strife in Gaza, that Abu Amar controlled the situation and said we don’t want a strife in Gaza, then he killed Hisham Makki, Kahlil Al-Zien, Naem Abu Sief and Khaled Mahmoud Shehadeh who was a cop.”The President added: “Dahlan was dismissed from Fatah, expelled from the Central Committee, and I told everyone that he was dismissed, it is over. No mediation and nothing else will help. Dahlan will not return to Fatah and he is expelled.”(Al-Ayyam)
Dahlan: Abbas’ speech is an example of lies, misleading and ignorance of Palestinian facts and events!
Palestinian leader and MP Mohammed Dahlan, considered the speech made by President Mahmoud Abbas at the Fatah Revolutionary Council session as "an integrated model of lies and misleading, and a model for stupidity and ignorance of the Palestinian reality and events."Dahlan pledged to reveal details of the assassination of late President Yasser Arafat saying: ”I promise I will reveal the lies in Abbas’ speech from A to Z, especially the most dangerous and important topic in modern history, the assassination of the late leader Abu Ammar, why Abu Ammar named Abu Mazen “the Palestinian Karzai”.” (http://www.amad.ps/ar/?Action=Details&ID=17986)
Knesset approves the law of referendum on any peace agreement
The Israeli Knesset approved yesterday the public referendum law amid Israeli opposition boycott, 68 members of Knesset voted for the Law, without any opposition or abstention.According to this law, Israeli Government is prevented from waiving any occupied land even if a political agreement is reached with the Palestinian side, without returning to a referendum, any waiver of occupied areas should be presented for a referendum, these areas are east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=681095)
Executive Committee rejects the framework agreement and extension of negotiations
The Executive Committee of the PLO rejected the framework agreement which US Secretary of State John Kerry seek to market since the beginning of the negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, as the new reference for negotiations, the Committee also rejected any extension of the negotiations which will expire next month.A statement issued after a meeting of the Executive Committee chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas, said that the Executive Committee emphasizes "its firm rejection of any document containing a violation of the terms of reference of the peace process, namely the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative."The Executive Committee stressed "its firm refusal to replace the Arab peace initiative as a reference with a new reference, leading to the Israeli settlement expansion and eliminates the fact that east Jerusalem is part of the territories occupied in 1967, and pave the way for Israel to annex large parts of the Palestinian territories under the pretext of Israeli security and settlement proceedings, and open the door for the survival of indefinite occupation, making the national cause face unprecedented disaster, in addition to making the Palestinians recognize the Jewish State to deletePalestinian historyand rights in one sentence."(http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/493385)
Netanyahu invites Cabinet for an urgent meeting this morning
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited his Cabinet for an urgent meeting today morning to discuss ways to respond to the latest escalation.Channel 10 said that Netanyahu held earlier tonight telephone consultations with Deputy Chief of staff and head of the Shin Bet, where he demanded to restore calm to the South.In the same context, an Israeli political source said tonight that Israel is not interested in escalation, and that it is not on the interest of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to continue with the current escalation.(http://safa.ps/details/news/124461/%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%88-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AA-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%B5%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85.html)
Occupation closes the Gaza Strip crossings
Israeli authorities closed last night, the crossings leading to the Gaza Strip. Local sources said that the Israeli occupation authorities fully closed Kerem Shalom crossing, while it closed Beit Hanoun crossing partially. Israeli Minister Moshe Ya'alon stoppedvisits forGazan prisoners by their families. (http://www.raya.ps/ar/news/853905.html)
Lieberman: a full occupation of the Gaza Strip is inevitable
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in statements to channel 2, thata broad ground operation to reoccupy the Gaza Strip completely as inevitable , not to be similar to operations“cast lead" and “Pillar of Defense”.Lieberman said to Israeli television: "there is no choice but to reoccupy the entire Gaza Strip, since after two broad Gaza military operations Israeli towns and cities are still exposed to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, so residents of Israeli towns and cities in the South cannot remain hostages to terror organizations and rockets, so we will not remain silent on the missile launch yesterday.” (Al-Ayyam)
President calls for an end the Israeli military escalation on the Gaza Strip
Presidential spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, said that President Mahmoud Abbas demanded to stop the Israeli military escalation on the besieged Gaza Strip, adding that this escalation exposes civilians to the scourge of war and destruction. (Al-Ayyam)
Yediot Aharonot: Israeli army planning a serious operation in the Gaza Strip
Military analyst for Yediot Ron Ben Yishai revealed that the Israeli army is planning a serious operation against the Gaza Strip.Yishai said that the Islamic Jihad’s attack was coordinated with Hamas and that the army has been surprised and this is disturbing.Yishai attributed the surprise to bad weather conditions which affected the monitoring devices, adding that the use of short-range missiles by the Jihad in that attack says it aimed at a limited attack.(Al-Ayyam)
Jordan's Parliament demands the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador and the release Al-Daqamseh
Jordan's Parliament called on the Government to release a Jordanian soldier serving a life sentence for killing seven Israeli schoolgirls in 1997 in response to the assassination of judge Raed Zuaiter Monday by the Israeli army.According to the official News Agency Petra, which reported the news, said "the Parliament approved with majority during a meeting Wednesday a proposal calling on the Government to release the soldier Al-Daqamseh.” The Parliament also called on the Government to "expel the Israeli Ambassador from Amman and return Jordan's Ambassador in Tel Aviv in response to the killing of judge Zuaiter.” Parliament gave the Government until Tuesday to respond to the demands considering that "a vote of confidence in the Government is associated with its responsiveness to the demands of Parliament, and its replay in a session next Tuesday.” The Parliament demanded "an extensive investigation involving Jordan in respect of this crime and bring the criminals to the International Criminal Court".(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Central Post Office in east Jerusalem turns into a settlement soon
Ateret Kohanim said it bought more than 1000 square meters in a very strategic building in the middle of the commercial neighborhood in Jerusalem. The organization said that the building is located in the Salah Addin Street; where it intend ti establish a religious school. In a letter sent by the CEO of Ateret Kohanim, Daniel Loria, to his supporters, he said that the organization bought more than 1000 square meters in a very strategic building located in front of the old city between Bab Al-Amoud and Baba Al-Sahry, which is the Central Post Office. The letter issued on the 11th of March, was entitle: “Great news form Ateret Kohanim”, and said that “the central post office building was bought through a donation of a generous donor,” asking to “keep the news as a secret until the right moment to control the building arrives after Jewish Pesah, which starts on the 14th of April.” (Al-Quds)
Cameron confirms his opposition boycott Israel: my loyalty to Israel has always been strong as rock I stand by its side
British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed yesterday his opposition to boycott Israel in a speech to the Israeli Parliament during a visit to Israel.Cameron said, "Britain is opposed to the boycott, whether trade unions are campaigning to exclude Israelis or universities that are trying to stifle academic exchanges," adding "the position of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people will not be based on hollow resolutions pass by amateur politicians."(Al-Ayyam)
Shallah: resistance in Gaza will show its missile capabilities in the face of Israel
Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Ramadan Abdullah Shallah said the "resistance signed a ceasefire and not a surrender." Sahllah said in an interview with Iranian television that the Palestinian resistance response to the Israeli escalation is countless compared to the transgressions of the Zionist entity," adding "The resistance will show its missile capabilities in the face of the Zionist entity and it is are ready to respond to any attack.” (http://www.amad.ps/ar/?Action=Details&ID=17982)
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Headlines
** Kerry: mistrust between Israel and the Palestinians is the "worst" (Al-Ayyam)
** Funerals of the remains of 5 martyrs is Nablus, Jaba’, Ramin and Qalqilya (Al-Ayyam)
** Occupation army demolishes a house and a facility in Ezzareyah (Al-Ayyam)
** A secret European report: Hamas live unprecedented isolation and seek reconciliation or resorting to military escalation (Al-Ayyam)
** Interpol informs Egypt it arrested two leaders of the brotherhood (Al-Ayyam)
** Dismissed Libyan Prime Minister flees to Europe (Al-Ayyam)
** President receives delegation of Yarmouk and the diaspora and demands to stop escalation on Gaza (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** High Court decides to end doctors’ strike; the union announces further events (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Bennett objected the attempt to present the prisoners release in the government (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Presidency holds contacts to facilitate the travel of patients and humanitarian cases through the Rafah crossing (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
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Front Page Photos
Al- Quds:1) Ali Sallam, new mayor of Nazareth, 2) Jerusalem – building of the central post office.
Al-Ayyam: 1) Israelis looking for shelter after launching missiles by Jihad, 2) Nablus – funerals of the remains of martyrs Maher Hbiesheh and Imad Al-Zubiedi yesterday
Al Hayat Al Jadida:.1) President Abbas,
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Voice of Palestine News
Gaza Strip: People in Gaza endured 32 Israeli airstrikes last night on various areas of the Strip, but mostly Al Quds brigades locations were hit in addition to Qassam brigades posts, in Rafah and Khan Younis. Gaza City was also hit. Israeli F-16s are still roaming the skies above Gaza.
Are Israel’s threats to wage a military operation on Gaza being taken seriously?
On the ground, there are not many indications of a wide scale operations except for a few places where Israeli tanks are on the move, especially in areas near the border. But they have not made any incursion yet. But on the ground, the people do believe the threats are serious and may lead to a wide scale attack. Analysts however, do not think the escalation will not reach the point of war, like it did before. Last night, there was a sense of panic, especially after the Karem Abu Salem crossing was closed, people rushed to fill their cars with gas. People have learned to live with these threats though.
What is the position of the resistance groups?
They have not issued any official statements. However, military groups have fired missiles over the night from a number of political groups in response to the Israeli escalation. The groups have also vowed to respond to Israel’s escalation.
Jenin: This morning, Israeli force arrested 31-year old Mahmoud Atrash from his home north of Jenin. Israeli forces also destroyed part of Atrash’s home and prevented his wife from entering the room in which her five-day old baby was. The windows of the room were opened and she was not allowed to go in.
Jerusalem: The settlement group Ateret Cohanim announced it had bought a large 100-square meter building on Saleh Eddin, which is the central post office. It was built during Jordanian rule and was also used by Jordanian authorities as a post office. If settlers are able to take complete control over this building, this would mean the settlement enterprise has entered its most critical stage in Jerusalem in terms of taking over properties in the city. The police station in Ras Al Amoud is another incident which was taken over and had been used by the Jordanian army. Its ownership was then transferred to settlement groups and has been changed into a new settlement outpost. If the settlers take over the Salah Eddin post office, this will be a cruel blow to the economic activity of the city because this street is the main commercial artery in east Jerusalem. They are planning to turn it into a yeshiva for hundreds of extremist students.
As for the Aqsa Mosque, extremist rabbi Yehuda Glick broke in yesterday again with a group of settlers before going to the Dome of the Rock and tried to enter, instead he went into the police station there. He also wanted to take soil but the Aqsa guards prevented him. Yesterday extremist Jewish group held a meeting in Deir Yassin, west of Jerusalem and decided to carry out a string of activities during Passover next month.
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Voice of Palestine Interviews
**Head of the legal unit in the prisoner affairs ministry, Jawad Amawi, on Israeli threats not to release prisoners from inside the Green Line in the fourth prisoner release
Q: Is the Israeli economy ministry’s statements about not releasing ’48 prisoners considered an official declaration?
No, we cannot consider it official but the government announces it in a statement. But we know this is a right-wing extremist government and there is always voices from inside that criticize a prisoner release. Until now, there are problems revolving around this release, with some Israelis trying to put obstacles in front of it. We hope the release will take place on schedule and as planned. The position of the political leadership and the president is clear, that this is a red line that cannot be crossed. So, we hope this is what will happen.
Q: Do you think that Israel will commit to the agreement and the prisoner group will include ’48 prisoners?
This is what we hope for, but the Israelis may try to botch this up. Still, this is supposed to have American guarantees and they even have the names. There is no argument over this – there are prisoners from inside the Green Line and from Jerusalem. It was already agreed that these prisoners would be left until the last batch of prisoners is released. But now, the Israelis may try to politically blackmail us in order to extend the period for negotiations. But in the end, even if the last batch is delayed, they will eventually be released.
**Minister for foreign affairs Riyad Al Malki, on political developments
Q: Do you think there may a European position in terms of offering assistance to the Palestinians if the leadership refuses to extend the negotiations?
This has never been brought up or even hinted at. I think this is a very dangerous move, should Europeans decide to take such a tactic and would reflect on the stability of the region as a whole. So I don’t think this will happen. Until now, the Europeans are offering the carrot and not the stick, hinting that tremendous benefit would come from reaching a peace deal that would end the conflict and occupation. They have said the EU and European countries have interest in investing in large sums to improve the economy in Palestine and Israel.
Q: We heard that British PM Cameron is planning to offer more support through providing more investments and jobs and grants – is this a given thing during his visit with President Abbas?
We have to wait until the visit is done this afternoon to know what Cameron has brought. We can only speculate about the things he is bringing to the table and his economic and investment ideas. We just have to wait. But no doubt the major focus will be on the political aspect. The Palestinians will still try in the short period when Cameron is in Bethlehem to raise issues that will promote bilateral relations with Britain.
Q: What time is the meeting?
He will arrive in the afternoon; first he will visit the Nativity Church and then head to the presidential headquarters in Bethlehem where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Abbas and then a broader meeting after which he will attend a business lunch before returning to Jerusalem.
**PLO Executive Committee member Saleh Rafat, on the president’s refusal to relinquish any national constants or extend the negotiations during the PLO meeting
Q: What more can you tell us about the executive committee meeting ahead of President Abbas’ trip to Washington?
The results of Saeb Erekat’s visit to Washington were discussed and the ideas that are still being floated by the Americans including extending the negotiations. For us, this is still a rejected notion because it is aimed at replacing international resolutions as the point of reference with another point of reference that responds to the Israeli perspective, which denies Palestinian interests. So if they are reposed to the president during his meeting with President Obama, they will be rejected absolutely. We will continue to adhere to international legitimacy in regards to the Palestinian cause. The original agreement was that the nine-months of talks were supposed to result in a final peace deal. Now we cannot extend them, because Israel’s practices will continue and there will only be more of an opportunity to further consolidate the occupation.
Q: Was Ereket presented with a draft framework agreement during his visit to Washington?
Whatever was posed to him was done so verbally by the US administration. There was nothing written. But the Palestinians made their positions clear about this agreement. All of the ideas that are being floated are only aimed at strengthening the occupation. So all the ideas that have been proposed have been rejected by us. It is clear that the US and Netanyahu have already agreed on these ideas.
Q: Do you think President Obama will re-pose the same ideas without taking into consideration the Palestinian rejection of the ideas in the framework agreement?
Like I said, we believe that Netanyahu and Obama have already agreed and that the same ideas will be proposed during President Abbas’ visit. Remember, Erekat’s visit was after Netanyahu had met with Obama.
Q: Did the Americans dangle financial assistance as a threat?
They didn’t directly say this, but what is important to us is the interests of the people and not American aid or others. We will not sell out our interests for a few million dollars from this or that country.
**Economy minister Jawad Al Naji, on Secretary Kerry’s economic plan for the Palestinians, which was recently discussed in the Prague conference and if it is implementable
Q: You discussed the outcomes of the Prague conference on the economic plan posed by the Quartet committee and Kerry? Do you think it can be implemented at present?
The Palestinians were very clear. We welcome any investments in Palestine aimed at reviving the Palestinian economy, but first all of the Israeli obstacles and hindrances must be removed which prevent the implementation of this plan. I conveyed this message to the Quartet meeting; the Americans and international parties must practice more pressure on Israel to remove these obstacles.
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More Headlines
Israeli bulldozers demolishes a house and business facilities in Ezzareyah
Israeli bulldozers demolished yesterday a house, a car wash facility and vegetable shop in the town of Ezaareyah, on the pretext of "unauthorized" construction on "confiscated" land. Spokesman for the popular resistance committees Hani Halabiya said that a big force of the occupation army and special units raided Ezzareyah since the early morning, and surrounded the entrance and mount Pope, preventing people from reaching the demolition areas. (Al-Ayyam)
A secret European report: Hamas faces unprecedented isolation and seek reconciliation or resorting to military escalation
A European report said that Hamas stands at a crossroads: either to become more moderate and reconcile with Fatah movement, join the Palestine Liberation Organization and reach a temporary reconciliation with Egypt and in particular with regard to the situation in Sinai, and the other way is to intensify its attacks on Israel, including through the West Bank. The report noted that "the political upheavals that have swept the region since 2011 profoundly altered Hamas’ view, since it lost during one year considerable support in the region given the changing political context." The report indicates that "after removing the authority of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Hamas faces an unprecedented regional isolation, as well as economic pressures stemming from the recent Egyptian strikes on illegal activities on the tunnels.” (Al-Ayyam)
Presidency holds contacts to facilitate the travel of patients and humanitarian cases through the Rafah crossing
The Palestinian President made urgent contacts yesterday with the Egyptian leadership to facilitate the travel of patients and humanitarian cases through the Rafah crossing. For its part, Egyptian leadership promised to respond positively. (Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah)
Catholic Churches oppose conscription to the army, and criticize "the Levine law"
The Council of the heads of the Catholic churches in the Holy land approved in its bi-annual meeting on 11 and 12 March 2014, a document prepared by the Justice and Peace Commission on the new law of Knesset regarding Palestinian Christians in Israel. The approved document said: “We, the heads of the Catholic churches in Israel wish to clarify that it is not the right of Israeli authorities to tell us who we are. In fact, most of our believers in Israel are Palestinian Arabs, they are of course Christians. They are also citizens of the State of Israel, and we don’t see any contradiction in of our identity: Christians, Palestinians and Arab citizens in the State of Israel.” (http://pnn.ps/index.php/policy/83956
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Arab Press
Changing the bridge paradigm
by Daoud Kuttab
For 47 years the bridge connecting the West Bank with Jordan has been a source of hardships, humiliations and extremely long and unnecessary delays, not to mention cumbersome and exaggerated body and baggage searches. This nightmare has to end.
What happened on Monday morning is a symptom of the occupation versus occupied paradigm that must come to an end. A 38-year-old Jordanian father of two and a sitting judge in Amman’s Court of First Instance, attempted to travel to Nablus like many Palestinians and Jordanians of Palestinian origin. His altercation with Israeli soldiers that ended with his death must be a warning flag that this injustice and humiliation cannot continue.
Anyone who crosses the King Hussein Bridge knows very well how the Israelis have for decades forged a shameful occupier-occupied relationship with the power of their guns. The Oscar-winning film Twelve Years a Slave, perfectly illustrates the way that the oppressed absorb all kinds of humiliation simply in order to survive as they wait for salvation.
Raed Zuaiter, the Jordanian judge, like any other human being, apparently walked into this mess without the added shield of years of humiliation and he couldn’t accept it. For their part, the Israeli soldiers, brainwashed to suspect every passenger as a potential “terrorist”, viewed the rebellion against accepting the occupier-occupied paradigm as enough proof that the rebellious person must be a terrorist. As they say, the rest is history.
The Israeli spin machine quickly went into action. The often repeated defence was that Zuaiter went for the soldier’s gun. Later it was adjusted that he went for his throat, attempting to strangle him. The “terrorist” label also required some audio. So again the spin machine fabricated that the judge yelled Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar before lunging for the soldier’s gun (or throat), thus confirming that he was a terrorist.
Of course much of the speculation as to what happened and when could easily be put to rest if footage from the most camera-covered spot at the bridge (the first few metres into the Israeli controlled area) is made available. But alas, the camera is now said to have been inoperative that day. How convenient. But there is a tiny fact that is hard to refute. How did the bus carrying Zuaiter enter the Israeli occupied territories. A metal bar and four metal pistons make it impossible for any vehicle to enter until someone presses a remote-controlled button. The buttons are located in a windowless room with lots of cameras that show the operators who is coming, what licence plate they hold and so on.
Naturally, addressing the problem that caused the untimely death of an innocent Jordanian is currently focused on the logistics and mechanics of what happened, but there is a need to look at the context of what is happening and how to avoid the recurrence of such trigger-happy acts.
In the negotiations about the implementation of the Oslo Accords, the Palestinians insisted that even during the interim period no Israeli soldier should have any face-to-face contact with passengers. The Israelis designed a plan where they sit behind one-way mirrors and control the bridge from this vantage point. The plan, which included the presence of unarmed Palestinian police, was operational for a short time at the end of the 1990s but was scrapped when the second Intifada broke in October 2000. Since then the call to return to the pre-October status throughout the occupied territories and on the bridge has been made repeatedly but no action was taken. The roadmap included a section for the return of the Palestinian police to the bridge, but this was never implemented.
In addition to the need to keep brainwashed, heavily armed young Israeli soldiers as far away from travelling civilians as possible, there are other decisions that can help reduce the tension on the bridge. For example the crossing should be open around the clock in order to ease the long waiting period that add to the anger and frustration. Israelis say that they can’t cover the cost of 24-hour staff but many Palestinians think that they don’t care while others believe that this is deliberate to maintain the occupier-occupied paradigm.
The best and most effective way to reduce the tensions and tragedies such as the murder of the Jordanian judge, is to end the occupation and totally remove the unwanted Israeli occupiers from Palestinian territories. In the meantime, people of goodwill must agree that the current status quo on the King Hussein Bridge is untenable. Serious and deep changes are required in order to guarantee that what happened on March 10 to an innocent Jordanian will not take place again.(http://jordantimes.com/changing-the-bridge-paradigm)
Israeli leaders face great danger: a peace settlement
By Zeev Maoz
Israeli politicians face a clear and present danger. It is not Iran’s nuclear program. Nor is it the risk that Egypt’s instability or the civil war in Syria will spill over into an Arab-Israeli conflagration. Rather, it is U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s forthcoming peace plan.
This plan will not contain major surprises. It will probably be a juxtaposition of previous plans, such as the Clinton parameters or the Bush road map. Israelis know what the plan contains and what will be required of Israel if it accepts the plan.
The threat contained in the plan is threefold. First, this is a committed secretary of state serving under a second-term president focused on his legacy. This administration, perceived to be unsupportive of Israel, is not burdened by electoral considerations. For Israeli politicians, however, electoral considerations are a permanent concern. The shakiness of the governing coalition, which binds extreme right-wing parties with more moderate centrist parties, poses a constant threat to the survival of the Israeli government.
Second, Kerry’s plan comes amid growing international criticism of Israel. Israel has faced criticism in the past. What is different today is that it is accompanied by an emerging trend of divestments and sanctions. This is a new and frightening prospect because it threatens Israeli economic and academic institutions and high-tech companies.
If this trend continues, it might pull Israel’s middle class out of its apathy. Israel has weathered the global recession of recent years largely due to its financial and high-tech sectors. While the rising cost of living and economic inequality have resulted in social protests, macroeconomic indicators have been extremely positive. The threat of a recession due to boycotts and divestments is a huge concern.
The professional middle class can be a decisive electoral force. If it supports a certain political party, it could well tip the balance in an election. The newly formed Yesh Atid party won second place in the last election, largely on a domestic economic platform. It did not have a clear foreign and security policy agenda. Its decision to join a Likud-led coalition gave life to the current government. However, if it leaves, Israel will likely go to an early election – and there is a good chance that, if recession hits, the party will emerge as the big winner.
Third, Israeli politicians who have opposed territorial concessions in the past have always had a Palestinian ally. Their most convincing claim has been Palestinian refusal to sign offers presented to them. The argument that “there is no Palestinian partner for peace” has been a common tool in Israel’s public-relations toolbox. Palestinian violence against Israelis has given this claim a convincing ring even while Israel, through its aggressive settlement policy and human-rights violations, has reduced the chance of Palestinian accommodation.
Now, the relative calm in the occupied territories and a moderate Palestine Liberation Organization leadership make this claim sound empty and manipulative. Mahmoud Abbas is the most moderate Palestinian leader the Israelis have faced. His recent statements suggest that Palestinians are willing to compromise in ways they were unwilling or unable to in the past.
Not surprisingly, the Israelis have raised the bar by requiring that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state. The Israelis are also concerned that Palestinians will turn to a new, nonviolent resistance strategy. If this were met by Israeli violence, it would cause steep erosion in international support for Israel’s policies – erosion that may well be accompanied by sanctions.
Recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest he is increasingly aware of the fundamental dilemma that Israel is bound to face: If it holds on to the occupied territories, it will be forced to choose between being a Jewish but non-democratic state and being a democratic state but seeing Jews become a minority. It is unclear whether this dilemma is a pressing concern for the government, but that Netanyahu brought it up is significant.
Can Israel respond positively to Kerry’s plan? The Israelis will wait for the Palestinian response before they commit. If the Palestinians accept the plan (probably with reservations), it will be difficult for the Israeli government to reject it outright. This could result in a shakeup of the government. The extreme right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party would likely leave the coalition. However, the government could survive by aligning with the Labor Party or the Shas religious party, or both.
The Israelis are still hoping that the Palestinians will reject some of the key elements of the plan, making it easier for them to do the same. The idea is to accept the plan in principle, but bury it in practice. The litmus test for the Obama administration is to prevent that from happening. (http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2014/Mar-12/249960-israeli-leaders-face-great-danger-a-peace-settlement.ashx#axzz2vpHECMel)
Killing in cold blood
By HANI HAZAIMEH
Earlier this week, Israeli soldiers at Allenby crossing between Jordan and occupied West Bank shot dead a Jordanian citizen, a first instance court judge, in cold blood alleging that he tried to grab a soldier’s gun.
The incident triggered anger among Jordanians who took to the streets in hundreds and marched toward the Israeli Embassy where they clashed with the Jordanian police before they were dispersed.
According to eyewitnesses, the Jordanian was about to board a bus when an Israeli soldier pushed him violently dropping him to the floor. In a natural reaction, the judge stood up to the soldier and pushed him back.
Regardless, this new behavior adds another episode to the series of Israeli brutality in the occupied territories and their arrogant treatment of Arabs crossing to the other side.
Israel signed a peace deal with Jordan in 1994, yet they continue to treat visitors to the occupied lands with absolute arrogance and humiliation.
Amman asked Israel to immediately investigate the incident. However, the results, as expected, blamed the victim claiming that the soldiers acted in self defense after the “judge” tried to attack the soldier.
The incident has brought back the memories of the case of Ahmad Dagamseh, who is currently serving a life sentence for opening fire at a group of Israeli schoolgirls near the border on March 13, 1997, killing seven and injuring six.
Israel will never apologize for the incident, that’s for sure, as its Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, said that the soldier acted after he feared for his life.
Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour is under pressure from the angry public and some Parliament members who have given him few days to take action. The MPs are demanding expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Amman and the recall of Jordan’s ambassador from Teel Aviv.
They are also insisting that Dagamseh be released in response to the judge’s killing.
The government might find itself in a tight situation where it could face a vote of confidence in the house.(http://www.arabnews.com/news/539221)
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Opinions
The martyrdom of Zeiter and the misdistribution of roles
By Jumana Ghneimat
In every attack on Jordan, regardless of its shape or form, we see the Jordanians always showing a united front on a united stance. The biggest evidence of this is the purely nationalistic scene was witnessed after the 2005 bombings in Amman terrorist groups.
The killing of judge Raed Zeiter at the hands of the Zionist occupier in cold blood is no less harsh and has led to the same reaction. It united the Jordanians, who were livid over the assault on their dignity, which they felt Israel stomped on by killing the unarmed Zeiter in such a barbaric fashion.
This crime reflects, once more, the truth of Israel’s brutality, which it cloaks in lies and slander; it also uncovers its lack of respect and regard for the Jordanian individual in particular and the Arab individual in general.
The martyr’s body was laid to rest wrapped in both the Jordanian and Palestinian flags in a most significant symbolic gesture at a time when the repercussions of the crime are escalating. There is a state of rage felt among the Jordanian people from this crime, which they felt was an affront to their dignity.
Looking at the situation right now shows that something is wrong in the distribution and performance of roles and the fears and preoccupations harbored which we hope will not become a reality. That is, the crisis is shifting from being one with Israel to an internal crisis that has begun to show.
The start of this is represented in the new losses incurred by the government of Dr. Abdullah Nusur after it failed to handle the terrorist crime at the level it deserved. It did not deal with it as if it were an issue of dignity for the Jordanian people, who want revenge, something which only further widened the gap between the government and public opinion. After that, it seems as if a part of the crisis has moved inwards.
The government’s performance, unfortunately, did not rise to the level of popular anger; citizens did not feel any respect from their own government. For example, we did not hear any statements from it such as ‘Jordanian blood is a red line”. Neither did any observer get the feeling that the government fully comprehended the depth and scope of the crime and its ramifications.
The predicament from another aspect, is at the level of the relationship between parliamentarians and the government. The stances of the parliamentarians have turned into an opportunity to give speeches and display brouhaha without specifying the demands it wants to pressure the government into implementing. It is as if the end goal of the battle is to weaken and eventually break the government!
The protest activities as well have turned into an internal problem after some were dispersed by force and by attacking the protesters. Instead of the sit-in near the Israeli embassy in particular transpiring in a civilized manner, it turned into a scene of attack on the participants. This of course, created an unhealthy climate at the cusp of developing into something in the future if the government does not realize its mistakes and rectifies them. It needs to put efforts into bridging the gap in its relationship with other institutions and with the street as well.
Public opinion is also disturbed and angry, which will ultimately prevent it from specifying its demands, which range from the possible to the impossible.
Instead of bring the crisis into our home, we must think and calculate how Israel is seeking to export the crisis to outside of its own walls. It wants to make the Jordanian crisis an internal one between the government and the opposition on the one hand, and between the government and parliamentarians on the other and also between it and the society, which it feels does not respect it.
What has happened is that we have failed in properly distributing roles and this is the worst among all we have been through. The lesson we must learn from what has happened is that we need to put real pressure on Israel to deal differently with people at the crossings with Palestine, and to respect their humanity. This tragic incident was an opportunity for the government to regain some of its popularity; it was also a way to strengthen the internal front. Unfortunately, however, it was not invested in the right manner. (http://www.alghad.com/articles/509485)
Israeli military escalation…after its political escalation!
Al Quds Editorial
Ahead of President Abu Mazen’s trip to Washington and in tandem with the visit of the British Prime Minister, Israel has escalated its political attack in regards to the negotiations and the chances for reaching a deal on the one hand, just as it has escalated militarily in West Bank and Gaza on the other. The goal of both escalations is the same and is very clear, which is that Israel does not want peace and is trying at the same time to put the onus or at least a large part of it, on the Palestinians.
When the Israeli Prime Minister insists on the condition of recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, insists on the continuation of settlements and Jerusalem remaining the unified capital of Israel, then Netanyahu is completely sabotaging the peace process, blowing it completely to smithereens and canceling out its foundations, which are reasonable and acceptable internationally.
In addition to this, Netanyahu is stirring up side issues as well and is trying to focus attention on them in order to minimize the significance and urgency of solving the core issue, which is ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state. For example, he is trying to put the spotlight on the Iranian file; it is no coincidence that they announced an Iranian ship had been seized which is said to have been carrying far-range missiles and other weapons on route to Gaza.
Over the past few days, Israel has also escalated militarily; it assassinated a number of Palestinians youths in the West Bank and Gaza in addition to Judge Raed Zeiter. All of these assassinations were carried out in situations where they could have been avoided if Israel’s intentions were defensive as they claim. Also, also those who were assassinated could have been arrested. However, they chose to escalate. In Gaza, Israel continued its attacks, killing three Islamic Jihad operatives. In any case, these acts of aggression have never really stopped in spite of the Egyptian-sponsored truce agreement which Hamas and the other forces had abided by.
Israel thinks it is within its rights to assassinate, raid and attack whoever and whenever it wishes, with all other forces staying complacent and silent. However, this equation has been exposed as a failure from the beginning; its goal is to create an atmosphere of tension and aggression and distance itself as much as possible from peaceful political solutions.
Yesterday, the Islamic Jihad responded to the killings, firing dozens of rockets towards southern Israel. Israeli military sources and Netanyahu personally reacted, saying a forceful response would be inevitable. The Gaza front is very hot, with speculation on whether the response will be comprehensive or limited. The bottom line though, is that an escalation is surely coming.
Israel’s constant mistake is that brute force makes it incapable of realizing the facts, that clinging to settlement expansion and occupation will not achieve the security they are talking about. Security will only be achieved by an acceptable peace. There is the Arab and Islamic peace initiative that a comprehensive peace and security plus the required cooperation need to achieve stability, growth and development. Brute force will not lead to anything but more extremism, violence and suffering for everyone. Israel’s many experiences and the wars against Gaza throughout the years have confirmed this to be true. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/493413)
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